Overview

In "Moon and Sixpence," Somerset Maugham takes a fascinating look into the life of Charles Strickland, a man who gives up his comfortable life as a stock broker, breaks the social contract, abandons his family, and takes up painting. These changes condemn him to a life of poverty and disdain by most who know him. The story is related by an aspiring writer who never seems to be able to quite get the painter to admit he is either remorseful of all the human wreckage he's left in his wake, or so uncomfortable in ...

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Overview

In "Moon and Sixpence," Somerset Maugham takes a fascinating look into the life of Charles Strickland, a man who gives up his comfortable life as a stock broker, breaks the social contract, abandons his family, and takes up painting. These changes condemn him to a life of poverty and disdain by most who know him. The story is related by an aspiring writer who never seems to be able to quite get the painter to admit he is either remorseful of all the human wreckage he's left in his wake, or so uncomfortable in this new life that he's sorry for having made such a hash of his it. "Moon and Sixpence" raises several interesting questions: Who makes the social contract anyway, and did Strickland knowingly sign on, or was he simply incorporated into it by society? Would it have been acceptable for Strickland to abandon his family to become a priest, missionary, or some other more acceptable form of profession? While the book is loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, it is really more about W. Somerset Maugham and his search for beauty and truth. Maugham shows us that while the search may be noble, the journey is not necessarily beautiful to everyone, especially those not involved. "Moon and Sixpence" is a must-read for anyone contemplating a life in the arts. While Strickland is a thoroughly dislikable character, he is one without artifice, totally lacking the ability to say anything other than what is true to him. He is a man consumed by his passion, completely lacking the need for approval. Maugham as usual creates a work that is both powerful and thought-provoking. "Moon and Sixpence" satisfys on at least two levels; as an excellent story, and as a philosophical treatise on art, beauty and passion.

On a trip to research French artist Paul Gauguin, Maugham sailed into Tahiti's Papeet harbor, where he imagined an exotic tale of the ultimate outsider, one who rejects his entire way of life to pursue an obsession. The result of his efforts is a story of rebellion and escape from civilization which continues to attract and captivate readers to this day. Introduction by Perry Meisel.

Editorial Reviews

Cyril Connolly

His excessively rare gift of storytelling...is almost an equal of imagination itself. -- The Sunday Times

From Barnes & Noble

Based on the life of Paul Gauguin, this book examines how each of us pursues our dreams. Maugham, one of the most popular English writer of our century, looks at the choices we make and forsake, as well as the consequences to those around us

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Meet the Author

William Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) was a British playwright, novelist and short story writer. He was among the most popular writers of his era and reputedly the highest paid author during the 1930s. After losing both his parents by the age of 10, Maugham was raised by a paternal uncle who was emotionally cold. Not wanting to become a lawyer like other men in his family, Maugham eventually trained and qualified as a doctor. The first run of his first novel, Liza of Lambeth (1897), sold out so rapidly that Maugham gave up medicine to write full-time. During the First World War, he served with the Red Cross and in the ambulance corps, before being recruited in 1916 into the British Secret Intelligence Service, for which he worked in Switzerland and Russia before the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. During and after the war, he traveled in India and Southeast Asia; all of these experiences were reflected in later short stories and novels.

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The extraordinary clothed in mediocrity

The need for artistic expression takes a man out of a life of mediocrity, and transports him half way across the world, to a life of poverty which allows him to access the true richness of expression which he seeks. To seek one's destiny in a life of adventure, or to find comfort in a life of convention -- that is the tension between this work, and the author's masterwork "Of Human Bondage." Each reaching its own conclusion, while exploring the dialectic of the spiritual and the temporal, searching deep into man's soul, seeking refuge from the banality of life. A fine read, enchanting and remarkable for its language and its breadth of scope. A highly recommended selection.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted August 9, 2001

One of my Favorite Books of all Times.

From England to France to Tahiti, this tale of art,human nature and passion is incredible. I read this book thrice and still pick it up to reread some favorite sections. Maugham is one of my favorite authors. He is the best short story writer have ever read. I highly recommend his short stories and novels especially The Razors Edge and Cake and Ale.

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A Book That Makes You Think

The Moon and Sixpence by William Somerset Maugham is a novel loosely based on the life of painter, Paul Gauguin. This novel is one of the most interesting books I have ever read because the eccentric set of people the story revolves around. Maugham's analysis of his characters makes them come to life, and they were so vivid I was not able to put the book down.

Maugham was an English playwright and author, his works include: The Razor's Edge, Of Human Bondage, The Painted Vail, Cakes and Ale, and many more. The Moon and Sixpence came to Maugham when he traveled to Tahiti to study the French artist Paul Gauguin, and imagined the story of the painter's life from a different perspective.

The leading character, Charles Strickland, abandons his job as a stockbroker, his family of four, and his entire life in England unannounced to pursue painting in France. In this transitional move to France he becomes indifferent to people and their emotions. Some could consider him cruel while others find his honesty refreshing, but either way he shows no affection to those who enter his life or those who leave it. The book follows Strickland and his work from France to Tahiti, where the story ends. Strickland's unwillingness to compromise for his pursuit of art is unbelievable.

The character descriptions were the best part of the book for me. Maugham did a wonderful job making his characters come to life, and play with the reader's emotions. Strickland could easily be viewed as the villain in this novel because of his attitude, but is to be respected for is ingenuity. In some aspects his persistence for truth and independence could be seen as heroism and genius. Maugham challenges audiences to decide for themselves what they believe is "right" or "correct" in the story, and because of this readers must take an active role in the book.

Although I enjoyed this book, it isn't an easy read. Because the reader must constantly analyze the story, the book can be a chore, and there is no moment of relaxation. Also, the plot is interesting but moves slowly. The book is largely dependent on the description of the characters, as opposed to the story line. If you are looking for an action packed book, this may not be the one for you. Maugham could have spent a little more time illustrating the chain of events; the book could read a little easier.

The Moon in Sixpence, overall, was well worth the read. It leaves the reader with questions of what is morality and has the capability to change one's perspective completely. I would suggest it to anyone who is an art lover, as you will see many relations and references to the art world and Gauguin's life. I would also suggest this book to F. Scott Fitzgerald fans, because the styles and focus of Fitzgerald novels are very similar to that of Maugham.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted November 16, 2007

A reviewer

im reading 'The moon and sixpence' because we are given this story for home reading & i think that there is something very deep and philosophical in this story.its not a simple life story of a man who desperately wants to paint its a kind of human tragedy.im waiting for the end of this story with great excitement:'

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted July 1, 2014

Hdv

Bbd

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted January 5, 2014

Oops - Good scan

Apologies. This scan was OK. Was referring to another version of the same title which was from a NY library and scanned by Google. This version seems to be fine...crisp and clean.

One of my favorite books. The story of a truly self actualized human being.

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Anonymous

Posted December 28, 2013

Bad Scan

This book was scanned by Google but not proofed. Wrong or incomplete words all over.

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Anonymous

Posted August 23, 2013

Always a good read

Was that the ending paragraph or was a last page left out i dont quiet remember it ended that way perhaps it was the movie page counter

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Anonymous

Posted August 26, 2012

Shinohara Ayumi

Went to result of one for "Japan". Please help!

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Anonymous

Posted April 29, 2012

Sissy

I don't understand,maybe a reader of the book can explain it to me, why this book is dvertised as "...gay and lesbian relationships..." when I can see nothing to indicate this. It has either been mislabled or I'm hust not getting it. I do like the story and all of Maugham's works. He was genius at his craft

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